Mayor Hints Town May Undertake East End “Slum Clearance” Project.

In his inaugural address Mayor Charles Parker spells out some of the projects ahead in 1955. Plans for the new municipal building, survey of the sewer system, revising the building code, tackling the growing traffic problems in town and the possibility of clearing the slum housing in the south east corner of town to make way for industrial growth (Dollar Town). Residents might be moved to new housing to make possible a “toning up” of that area.

 Being sworn in for the fifth time, Mayor Charles Parker on left, reads the oath of office before barrister A.A. Ingram, center, while Reeve W.H. Keller waits his turn. (This was at a time when elections were held annually at the beginning of the year.)

 Arthur Bressette, 36, dies in a house fire at Bergie Point Victoria Harbour early Saturday morning. Mr. Bressette was home alone, his wife being in hospital in Guelph at the time and their two children Wayne 2, and Edward 4, were staying with an aunt. Mr. Bressette was a bricklayer by trade and had lived in the area all his live except for his time overseas during the war. Survived by his parents Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bressette, three brothers Leonard, Lorne and Robert and a sister Mrs. Fred Miller all of Victoria Harbour.

 Learning to be careful drivers on the Great Lakes these students at Midland’s marine school hear the mysteries of the Canadian buoyage system explained by Capt. Robert Mitchell. L to R, assistant instructor Gordon Glover of Midland; Robert Mitchell Jr., Port McNicoll; Bernard Gravelle, Penetang; Bill Shields, Midland and Captain Mitchell.

   A Chief Engineers job on a Great Lakes steamship is a complicated one as the three students to the right will agree. “Chiefy” for many years with Canadian Pacific Steamships, John Moses of Port McNicoll is the chief instructor.  Pupils are U.J. Lefaive, Port McNicoll; Al Bremner, Midland and Albert Rice, Port McNicoll. School is sponsored by the Vocational Committee of the Midland Penetang District High School Board.

 Pictured in the 1954 paper was the first line of defense for the Midland Junior Red Wings, Blake Ball, goalie Charlie Duggan and Dave McCall. Blake’s picture was cropped from this photo and republished on January 14th 1955 under the heading, “fiery Midland defenseman who will see action in the Arena Gardens Monday night when the Red Wings entertain Stouffville in an OHA Junior “C”  game. Wings hope to get back in the win column after dropping four in a row”

 Top Rink in Midland Spiel.

Winners in the main event of the Midland Curling Club’s 22nd annual bonspiel, Al Steer’s rink is seen with Jack Westlake, Midland manager for Imperial Oil and his assistant alderman Bill Logan as they present the Imperial Oil trophy to the winners. Winning team, Harold Wilcox, Alvin Steer, Lloyd Wilcox and Larry Curran.

 Cub and Scout leaders of the South Georgian Bay District open the first of four nights of lectures and training at St. Mark’s Parish Hall  Midland. L to r, Arthur Richards, Midland; Patsy Lovelace, Coldwater; Harvey Boyd, assistant district commissioner and course instructor, Eddie Maddox, Midland; Florence Cheetham, Waubaushene and Mac Sallows, Coldwater.

News Items

• Welfare requests in Penetang must now be made in person each Wednesday night in council chambers
• Penetang General Hospital seeks increase in funding from Tiny and Penetang councils.
• Early start on cable TV system predicted by W.H. Cranston, contracting with Bell Telephone to install and maintain lines
• Steel for new Midland Penetang District High School expected next week, foundations are in place
• CPR elevator celebrates 913 accident free work days, employ up to 115 men during the busy season

For Sale

• Gray Coach round trip fares, Ottawa $17.85, Washington DC $29.20, Kentucky Caves all inclusive 5 day tour $54.55
• Free Press photo reprints available $1.00 each
• Nap Beauchamp Construction of Penetang, six beautiful brick bungalows on Hanly Street Midland’s newest and most modern residential area.
• Johnstone’s, Dry Goods-Luggage-Toys-Music-Records-Books-Sporting Goods-Fishing Tackle